Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, human E-cadherin C-160A polymorphism, and childhood asthma.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a risk factor for asthma. Importantly, cigarette smoke can decrease the adherence of epithelial cells and increase detachment. The adhesion molecule E-cadherin (CDH1) has an essential role in the formation of epithelial junction.

Rapid Emergency Medicine Score as a main predictor of mortality in Vibrio vulnificus-related patients.

Objectives: Vibrio vulnificus causes potentially life-threatening and rapidly progressing infections. Therefore, the severity-of-illness assessment appears to be important for V vulnificus-infected patients at the time of admission. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of the severity-of-illness scoring model on admission in V vulnificus-infected patients.

Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score as a prognostic indicator in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the predictor index of mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).

Methods: We performed a retrospective review that enrolled 431 patients 18 years and older hospitalized due to PLA between January 2005 and December 2010. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes retrieved from medical records were analyzed.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with Vibrio vulnificus infections requiring intensive care: a 10-yr retrospective study.

Objective: Vibrio vulnificus infection is uncommon but potentially life-threatening. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with V. vulnificus infections admitted to an intensive care unit.